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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

GOODWIN O. BISHOP, OF HANNIBAL, MISSOURI.

TRUSS-BRIDGE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 27,963, dated April 24, 1860.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GOODWIN O. BIsI-Ior, of the city of Hannibal, in thecounty of Marion and State of Missouri, have invented a new and ImprovedCompound Arch Truss- Bridge; and I do hereby declare that the followingis a clear and exact description oi the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which-Figure l, represents the side elevation of a span; Fig. 2, shows anenlarged perspective view ofthe end; Fig. 3, shows the end of bottomchord or stretcher; Fig. 4, shows a cross section.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction of the shoe, andmode of securing it to the bottom chord; the combination and arrangementof the bottom, circle, and

top chords, braces and counter-braces, angleblocks, tension-rods, andangle-rods; the whole forming a compound truss, whereby the camber ofthe bridge may be adjusted at any point, and the counter-bracessustained against the shock of a moving train, or other heavy bodypassing over the bridge.

To enable others skilled in the art, to make and use my invention, Iwill proceed to describe the same more fully, referring to the drawings,and the let-ters marked thereon.

I construct my step, as seen in Fig. 3, by having plates of metal (U,)with projecting ribs which are itted firmly on the sides and between thetimbers forming the bottom chord (F,) which spans the distance from theabutments or piers; on the top and across are sunk grooves (t,) intowhich projecting pieces (1),) on the under side of the shoe (G,) aretted. The shoe (G,) as seen in Fig. 2, is made of cast iron, and formsthe step and bearing of the arch-chord (1),) and main brace (E,) and isheld in its place by the rods (G,) and stirrup (H,) projections (o.)

The compound truss structure as seen in Fig. l, is composed of thebottom chord or stretcher (F,) extending horizontally from pier to pier,and resting thereon. To both ends are secured the shoe (G,) as beforedescribed, supporting the arch chord (1),) on the top of which are aseries of angle blocks (w, w, 10,) being the step for the braces andcounter-braces (I, and K,) on the top of which are angle-blocks (w, 03,)upon which rests the top chord (Z.) The top and arch chords are broughtto bear upon the braces by tension rods (J,) and angle-rods (F,)radiating from the center of the arch chord (I),) whereby the camber ofthe bridge may be adjusted at any or all of the points of bearing. 'Ihestretcher, or bottom chord, (F,) is supported by bolt rods, extendingdown from the arch chord (1),) at such suitable distances as may berequired.

The advantages of my mode of structure in the compound arch trussbridge, will readily be seen. I dispense entirely with king-post, sothat there is no halving or locking of the timbers in any place; therebyobviating the necessity of eXtra heavy timbers for railroad bridges; andthe manner of constructing and staying is such that it will sustain agreat weight, and the span may be of very great length, and be safe anddurable, While the force of heavy loads coming suddenly upon it iscounteracted by the manner of staying the several parts as abovedescribed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the shoe (G,) step (U,) and strap or stirrup (H,)for the purpose of connecting and securing the arch chord (1),) to itsbottom chord (F,) in the manner described.

2. The combination and arrangement of the chord (F,) and arch chord(1),) with the Compound truss (0,) arranged as described, whereby thecamber of the bridge may be adjusted at any and all points, and thecounterbraces sustained against the shock of a moving train, or otherheavy body passing on the bridge.

GOODWIN O. BISHOP. )Vitnesses L. F. WHITNEY, L. BoswoRTH.

